Podcast
The Allan McKay Podcast
Hosted by Emmy Award Winner | Speaker | Mentor | Visual Effects Expert · EN
Allan McKay is an award winning Visual Effects Supervisor and Technical Director in Hollywood - join Allan as he interviews many of the leading experts in Hollywood about their careers, pitfalls and what they took to succeed, while also gaining a lot of core knowledge to help build your career, money and success and skills to make the biggest impact in your career AND in your life!
13episodes
Episodes
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458 - Nick Seavert - CEO & Founder JangaFX (Embergen, LiquiGen, GeoGen)
Aug 27, 202401:32:14Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Allan McKay sits down with Nick Seavert, CEO and founder of JangaFX, to explore the cutting-edge world of real-time visual effects software. They discuss Nick's entrepreneurial journey, the development of JangaFX's suite of tools including Embergen, LiquiGen, and GeoGen, and the challenges of creating innovative VFX software. Nick shares insights into the current state of the VFX industry, its evolving needs, and the potential impact of real-time solutions on both film and game production pipelines. The conversation also covers the importance of integrity in business, the value of perseverance in the face of adversity, and the process of creating their short film "Golem" to showcase their tools. Nick offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and discusses the evolution of VFX software over his career. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in visual effects, real-time rendering, the creative process behind cutting-edge software development, and the future of the VFX industry in an increasingly real-time world. Topics Covered: Nick Seavert's background and the founding of JangaFX The development and features of Embergen, LiquiGen, and GeoGen The importance of integrity and perseverance in business The creation of the "Golem" short film and its impact on product development The challenges of developing real-time liquid simulations The potential future of VFX in video games The balance between technical accuracy and artistic usability in VFX software The value of internal projects in driving software development Quotes: "If you want to play with the big dogs, you have to stop whining like a pup." Resources: JangaFX website "Golem" short film Riot Games Blizzard Entertainment Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) Unreal Engine
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457 - Feng Zhu - Concept Designer & Art Director
Aug 6, 202401:34:41Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Allan McKay sits down with Feng Zhu, renowned concept designer and educator, to explore the world of concept design in the film and video game industries. They discuss Feng's impressive career journey, his work on numerous high-profile projects, and the unique challenges of creating compelling concept designs. Feng shares insights into the current state of the design industry, its challenges and opportunities, and the potential impact of emerging technologies like AI. The conversation also covers the importance of problem-solving skills in design, effective portfolio development strategies, and the business aspects of running a successful design studio. Feng offers valuable advice for aspiring designers and discusses the evolution of the industry over his 27-year career. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in concept design, the creative process behind blockbuster films and games, and the future of the design industry in an increasingly digital world. Topics Covered Feng Zhu's background and career in the design industry The importance of problem-solving and thinking skills over technical skills Portfolio development and job application strategies The business side of the design industry Studio management and working with clients The impact of AI on the design industry The evolution of technology and its impact on design The difference between illustration and design The challenges of game development and studio closures Social media and its role in the industry Highlights "We're actually business people. We're selling products. Some people forget that even though we're drawing, we're not artists, we're product sellers." "I'd rather have someone that has really good thought process than someone who renders really well, but has no ideas in their head." "If you're doing social media stuff, but your content is just for social media, but not for actual industry, then yeah, that's not that relevant in my opinion." "To get to that level [of AI replacing human designers], you have to cover new technology, something completely alien to us right now, to reach human level stuff." "What we need really is in here, the brain, the human brain, and that's something AI cannot replace." Resources FCD School of Design (Feng Zhu's school) Design Cinema (YouTube channel - search for "FCD") CalArts ArtCenter College of Design Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) Lucasfilm Duke Nukem Forever (game) Luc Besson (film director) Hugo Martin (Doom game director)
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316 -- Linus Tech Tips' Editor - Taran Van Hemert
Sep 14, 2021Tap to summarizeLinus Tech Tips is a passionate team of professionally curious experts in consumer technology and video production which aims to inform and educate people of all ages through entertaining videos. They create product reviews, step-by-step computer build guides and a variety of other tech-focused projects. Taran Van Hemert is a Senior Video Editor at Linus Tech Tips. He is also a Writer, Host and Camera Operator. In this Podcast, Allan McKay and Taran Van Hemert talk about the art of being an efficient editor, the importance of scripting, automation and customized tools, and other tips for successful artists. For more show notes, visit www.allanmckay.com/316/.
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